This is Cornwall --REVIEW
Princess Theatre, Torquay, ends tomorrow
As Mari and Little Voice, Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, pictured) and Jess Robinson make a formidable if engagingly diverse duo in this engrossing production of Jim Cartwright's award-winning play. Taking on the guise of a Northern club where indefatigable Mr Boo (Duggie Brown) strives to entertain, the action leads gently into the confused world of painfully shy and reclusive Little Voice.
An interesting composite set with good period detail sees Little Voice alone in her room. Shutting herself away, she spends hours repeatedly playing cherished records, left to her by her late father. A friendship with shy apprentice phone engineer Billy (Ray Quinn) leads to her performing for small-time agent Ray Say (Simon Thorp) and to his discovery of her astounding ability to sing, to impersonate the voices and style of numerous, very different divas from Judy Garland to Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf to Gracie Fields. Through their voices Little Voice communicates her own grief and pain.
Larger than life, drunken and foul-mouthed, her mother Mari lacks any sensitivity or maternal feelings towards the girl. Concentrating on having a good time with fun-loving neighbour Sadie (Sally Plumb), whom Mari calls "all lard and love", the pair are hilarious in a celebratory alcohol-fuelled disco dance. Although Mari sees wheeler-dealer Ray as her way to a new life, Ray sees Little Voice as his ticket to the West End.
There's a savagery about the play, written and directed by Jim Cartwright, as in its final destructive moments mother and daughter pour out their collective bitterness.
ANNE BROOM Reported by This is 1 day ago.